Tribune Co. Plans TV Newscast Sans the Anchors

Print’s dying on paper, but could the format fit on television? Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels says the company plans to try something that sounds exactly like a print version on the small screen by building a television news network that has zero anchors.
Instead of anchors, Michaels told The Wall Street Journal that the program’s personality would be great pictures and great writing. However, one would assume you need someone to read that great writing, if it’s going on television. But it sounds like an interesting concept.

Here’s the interview excerpt:

WSJ: You and your team have said Tribune is going to “blow up” the traditions of local-TV news. What do you mean?

Mr. Michaels: We are about to launch a TV newscast in Houston that has no anchors, that has great pictures and great writing, but doesn’t involve a set or a desk or anyone standing in the way of the picture. Now is it going to work? We’re going to find out.

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